The Netherlands Legation at Berlin duly ‘transmitted’ HMG’s opinion to
Robert in a letter dated 20 March 1917. Robert’s reply to the Legation was
immediate. He was clearly distressed that the nature of his work discussed
with the American representatives in October had not been properly conveyed to HMG and his patriotism subsequently questioned on the basis of
earlier fundamental scientific work he had carried out in time of peace;
Prinzregenten Str. 86,
Berlin-Wilmersdorf.
23. March 1917.
Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of yours of the 20
th inst. in which you
inform me that the British Foreign Office would view with
strong disapproval my resuming my occupation if the
work should be in any way connected with the operations
of war.
I think there must have been some misunderstanding, as I
stated to Mr. Dresel of the American Embassy that my work
was neither directly nor indirectly concerned with the
operations of war. I am employed in an electric glow lamp
factory, my sole work being to improve the methods of
manufacture of glow lamps such as are used in every
household, I have nothing whatever to do with the construction or manufacture of search-light or similar
types of lamps which may be used for the purposes of war.
If my occupation had any direct or indirect connection
with warfare I would not have pursued the same.
I would be much obliged to you if you would inform the
British Foreign Office as to what my occupation is and ask
if there is any objection to me pursuing the same, which
I state again has nothing to do with the operations of
war.
If the British Foreign Office objects to me pursuing my
present occupation I will give up the same and take the
consequences such as having to leave my family and be
reinterned in Ruhleben.
Yours truly, Robert Le Rossignol.
14 Robert’s War 1914–1918
299
Robert in a letter dated 20 March 1917. Robert’s reply to the Legation was
immediate. He was clearly distressed that the nature of his work discussed
with the American representatives in October had not been properly conveyed to HMG and his patriotism subsequently questioned on the basis of
earlier fundamental scientific work he had carried out in time of peace;
Prinzregenten Str. 86,
Berlin-Wilmersdorf.
23. March 1917.
Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of yours of the 20
th inst. in which you
inform me that the British Foreign Office would view with
strong disapproval my resuming my occupation if the
work should be in any way connected with the operations
of war.
I think there must have been some misunderstanding, as I
stated to Mr. Dresel of the American Embassy that my work
was neither directly nor indirectly concerned with the
operations of war. I am employed in an electric glow lamp
factory, my sole work being to improve the methods of
manufacture of glow lamps such as are used in every
household, I have nothing whatever to do with the construction or manufacture of search-light or similar
types of lamps which may be used for the purposes of war.
If my occupation had any direct or indirect connection
with warfare I would not have pursued the same.
I would be much obliged to you if you would inform the
British Foreign Office as to what my occupation is and ask
if there is any objection to me pursuing the same, which
I state again has nothing to do with the operations of
war.
If the British Foreign Office objects to me pursuing my
present occupation I will give up the same and take the
consequences such as having to leave my family and be
reinterned in Ruhleben.
Yours truly, Robert Le Rossignol.
14 Robert’s War 1914–1918
299